Uke Nagashi's 'Riai'

Our main point is
essential to the finish of this form:Kirioroshi is a kesa cut and therefore
the
tip must finish to the left of your centre (as in #5 Kesa Giri) , in
order to complete the
cut along the kesa line. See the photos below of Joe, doing this
accurately and David, playing the role of teki.

If the cut finishes
with the tip in line with centre
of
Iaidoka, then it is not a complete kesa cut: it does not move
completely through teki, as one can see in the photos below of Joe
doing this cut inaccurately, and David remaining skewered as teki.

Easy enough - right?

We experimented with this quite a bit and we've decided it's a fairly
precise movement, actually. This cut requires the hips to be in the
'right place' or 'groove' when executing the cut. If
the hips are in the 'right groove', the rest of the body should also
find its proper place.

What is the 'right groove'?

Hips are just
off centre to the original line which means they are acutely forward to
the original line. See
Joe's feet in comparison to the initial attack line: this is how
forward he must be
in order for the kesa cut to execute properly through teki (who is
still moving through the original line). Notice in the picture that Joe
is well off the initial attacking line? Joe is actually right next to
a separate parallel line about one foot width away from the initial
attacking line. He gets here by moving into this position properly,
another important piece of this movement not covered here in this
article.

If Joe's hips are further toward, or pointing at, the original
attacking
line,
his cut will be something completely different from kesa and in
worst cases, he'll only clip teki or miss him altogether.
Therefore, keep the hips quite forward to the line
(slightly off parallel to the line)
and finish the cut
with the tip to the left of your centre. It's best to try this with a
partner and bokuto - in super slow motion!

Backing up the bus a
bit here, Joe also has to start this cut in the right place as he is
here, above: About
one fist width away from his right ear, arm straight, tip well up and
hasuji in the direction of the kesa cut. Kim Taylor sensei's pointing
of the tip almost vertically, after receiving teki's cut, helps to keep
the cutting arm from collapsing over the head as the cut initiates.

So, a few things need to come together here to make
the riai of Uke
Nagashi come to life!

With thanks to Yamamoto and Taylor sensei for these
important points during their
recent visits.